Maine Black Bears men's ice hockey

Program history

Birth of Maine ice hockey (1977–84)

The University of Maine, then known as the University of Maine at Orono, officially developed an NCAA-sanctioned men's ice hockey program in 1977. The program and arena construction happened at the same time.

This was not, however, the first attempt at birthing a permanent hockey program in Orono. Maine played in 17 games of college hockey in 1922 and 1923. They played other Maine colleges such as Bowdoin, Colby, and Bates. This program did not stick, and it would be over 5 decades before organized hockey would become a staple at the state's flagship university.

Upon its foundation in 1977, the program was coached by Jack Semler (University of Vermont '68). Maine enjoyed modest success under Semler boasting winning records in 3 of their first 4 regular seasons. The Black Bears competed in The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) during their first 7 years of existence, all of which were under Semler. The ECAC was recognized as Division-II hockey until 1979 at which point the conference, and thus Maine, became Division-I – the level of competition they have competed in ever since.

Shawn Walsh era (1984–2001)

Following the 1983–84 season, head coach Jack Semler submitted their resignation.[1] With Maine set to join the newly formed Hockey East Association, Maine hired Shawn Walsh, a 29-year-old assistant at Colorado State University and ex-3rd string goalie at Bowling Green State University. Walsh was assistant coach for Ron Mason at Michigan State and Alma Mater. In only half a decade, the Spartans went from being sub-.500 performers to national contenders.

They inherited a struggling team, so win/loss improvement was not immediate; Maine posted a 23–57–2 record over Walsh's first two years with the program. However, Walsh was getting good recruits and convincing the school, state, and fans that UMaine could become a college hockey powerhouse. In 1986, Walsh and the program saw the first of many significant accomplishments. At 24–16–2, he posted his first winning season as a head coach. The team also made its first NCAA tournament appearance that season, coincidentally losing in the first round to Michigan State.

After finishing as the conference runner up in '87 and '88, Maine brought home its first significant championship in the 1988–89 season. Walsh's Black Bears skated past Boston College in a 5–4 win for their first of 6 HEA Championships. Four of these would come under Walsh. Due to the success and popularity of the program, Alfond Arena expanded its capacity from 3,800 to more than 5,000 in 1992.

Maine was a heavy favorite to win its first national championship during the '91–'92 season. Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed when they suffered a surprise first-round loss to Michigan State. The team lost many important players, including Hobey Baker Award winner Scott Pellerin, after the season. People expected the team to underperform entering '92–'93.

However, the Black Bears' freshman class of 1992 was stronger than expected. Its lineup included future NHL Star Paul Kariya, and renowned identical twin forwards Peter and Chris Ferraro, along with Jim Montgomery, "Little" Cal Ingraham, Chris Imes, Garth Snow and Mike Dunham.

Kariya scored 100 points in one season at school, while Montgomery finished his successful college years with 301 points. They had a 42–1–2 season record, won the HEA regular season title, and won the HEA conference championship. They also won their first national championship.

Tim Whitehead era (2001–2013)

Tim Whitehead became the interim head coach following the death of Shawn Walsh at the start of the 2001–2002 season. He was later named the permanent head coach after a very successful first campaign in a year where he was eventually honored with the Spencer Penrose award which recognizes the NCAA coach of the year. Walsh won the Penrose award in 1995.

The team reached the championship game in 2002, the first season under Whitehead. Attempting to "win it for Shawn," they had to play The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Gophers' home state for the finals. They were one minute away from a win when Minnesota tied the game with their goalie pulled. In overtime, after a tripping penalty on Michael Schutte of Maine, the Gophers scored the winning goal on the power play.

Two years later, backed by Jimmy Howard and Frank Doyle, future NHL player Dustin Penner, a slew of popular forwards including Todd Jackson, Colin Shields, Maine's own Greg Moore and Derek Damon, conference rookie of the year Michel Leveille, and Prestin Ryan, Maine found itself back in the big game.

The Bears controlled the tempo and jumped on the board early against University of Denver on a Derek Damon goal, but the referees disallowed the goal explaining that part of the skate of Mike Hamilton crossed a line on the goalie crease as the goal went in. Though Howard only allowed one goal, Maine's offense could not find its rhythm after the disallowed goal and they lost 1–0.

That offseason, the NCAA reviewed the rule it followed to call off Maine's goal. They decided to adjust the rule to emulate the NHL's policy on this type of play, that is, only making a "man-in-the-crease" call if the player whose skate crosses the crease actually affects the outcome of the play or the goalie's ability to make the save.

In the summer of 2008, assistant coach Guy Perron and Volunteer Assistant Coach Grant Standbrook both stepped aside from the program. Standbrook retired, while Perron was hired as an amateur scout for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League. In 2006 and 2007 Maine would go to the Frozen Four but hit a regrouping session in 2008. 2008 was a dark year as Maine finished 9th in Hockey East and didn't even qualify for the playoffs, then in 2009 Maine entered the Hockey East Playoffs 8th and was eliminated in the first round by BU.

Red Gendron era (2013–2021)

On May 17, 2013, University of Maine Paul W. Ferguson and director of athletics Steve Abbott introduced Red Gendron as the fourth men's hockey head coach in the history of the University of Maine. Gendron's first major step towards rebuilding Maine hockey came on June 10, 2013 when he named former Maine Black Bear and NHL player Ben Guité as his first assistant coach. On June 25, 2013, Gendron announced, longtime NHL coach and scout Jay Leach as associate head coach. Like Gendron, Leach previously served as an assistant coach for UMaine hockey under Shawn Walsh.

The program continued to struggle under Red Gendron; the Black Bears have posted just two winning seasons since 2012, and in 2014–15, they finished dead last in the Hockey East standings, with an abysmal 8-24-6 overall record, their worst season since 1982. In April 2017, Jay Leach announced his retirement from the program. Coach Guite replaced him as associate head coach. That July, the program hired former Maine goaltender Alfie Michaud as assistant coach. In the 2017–18 season, the team began to make progress, posting an 18-16-4 record, including a nine-game unbeaten streak. The team's overall record fell back slightly to 15-17-4 in the 2018–19 season, but their Hockey East conference record climbed to 11-9-4, good for sixth place out of eleven teams. The following season saw the most successful campaign of Gendron's tenure. The team was picked to finish 8th in Hockey East play, and the season opener resulted in a 7–0 loss at Providence, the worst season-opening loss in program history. However, despite the poor start, the team exceeded its meager expectations; backed by goaltender Jeremy Swayman, the Black Bears managed to finished the regular season with an 18-11-5 record (12-9-3 HEA), finishing 4th in the league and earning home ice in the Hockey East quarterfinals for the first time since 2012. However, on March 12, 2020, the NCAA hockey season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gendron was named Hockey East Coach of the Year; Swayman was named Hockey East Player of the Year and the Mike Richter Award as the nation's top goaltender, becoming the first Black Bear to earn the award.

Shortly after the end of Maine's abbreviated 2020–21 season, Gendron died following a medical episode while on a golf course.

Ben Barr era (2021–Present)

In May 2021, Ben Barr was hired as fifth head coach of the program. Taking over a program with just two winning seasons in the last decade, Barr had the difficult task of revitalizing what had formerly been one of the premier programs in the nation. Attendance had plummeted, the school's facilities were outdated and falling behind the rest of Hockey East, and the team had been unable to recruit high-end talent to Orono. The 2021-22 season showed just how much work there was to be done; Barr's first win as head coach didn't come until November 12, 2021, a 6-5 overtime win against Merrimack. The Black Bears finished 7-22-4, and placed last in Hockey East for the first time since the 1993-94 season (that team had 14 wins retroactively forfeited by the NCAA). In the second year of the Barr era, hopes were not high. Maine was picked by the preseason poll to finish last in Hockey East once again. However, better adapted to the modern game thanks to the new coaching staff, the Black Bears improved to 15-16-5, finishing 6th in Hockey East. Junior center Lynden Breen led the team with 21 goals, while junior goaltender Victor Ostman finished with a .918 save percentage and 2.21 GAA. Both players were named Second Team All-Hockey East. However, the Black Bears were upset in the opening round of the conference tournament, 4-2, by 11th place Vermont. Despite the loss, the near doubling in wins from the previous season, Maine was beginning to turn things around.

One of the factors contributing to the Maine hockey recession was its inability to attract high end talent. But that was about to change. As the 2023-24 season approached, Barr's third behind the bench, a promising freshman class came to Orono. They were led by a pair of players from the BCHL; Josh Nadeau, and his younger brother Bradly Nadeau. Bradly had the distinction of being the first Maine player to be taken in the first round since 1999. Maine also had a promising young goaltender join the team, Swedish netminder Albin Boija. Boija had at first been expected to join the team a year later, but a last minute opening allowed Barr and Alfie Michaud to bring him to Orono ahead of schedule. Led by the dynamic "New Brunswick Line," consisting of Lynden Breen and the Nadeau brothers, the Black Bears got back into the national spotlight. Despite being picked 9th in the preseason poll, Maine entered the winter break with a 10-3-1 record, and were nationally ranked. March saw the Black Bears finished 3rd place in Hockey East. On March 16, 2024, Ben Barr earned his first postseason victory, as his Black Bears routed archrival New Hampshire 5-0 at Alfond Arena. The win qualified Maine for its first trip to TD Garden for the semifinals since the 2011-12 season. They ultimately fell to Boston University 4-1, but their outstanding record earned them a berth in the 2024 NCAA tournament, their first in 12 years. Entering the regional semifinals as a 2 seed, they fell short to a veteran Cornell team, 3-1.

Season-by-season results

Source:

Coaches

All-time coaching records

As of the completion of 2024–25 season

† Greg Cronin served as the interim head coach for the 1 year that Shawn Walsh was suspended.

Championships

National Championships

Runners-up in 1995, 2002, 2004

Hockey East Tournament Championships

Runners-up in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2012

Rivalries

Border War / New Hampshire Wildcats

The Border War refers to the rivalry between the UNH Wildcats and the Maine Black Bears. College Hockey News has ranked it as the seventh best Division I college hockey rivalry. The Rivalry is extremely intense because of the proximity of the states and the overall success of the two programs. The two programs have also met many times in meaningful post-season games. In 1999 Maine defeated UNH 3–2 in overtime to claim their second national championship, this essentially started the chant "We have 2, How about you!" chanted by Maine fans. Then again in 2002 Maine beat UNH in the national semifinals for a chance at the national championship. Maine and UNH has also met in the Hockey East playoffs many times, fueling the rivalry even more. In 2012 Maine once again defeated UNH in a large scale game at Fenway Park, winning 5–4 in overtime.

Boston College Eagles

The rivalry between Maine and BC is not one of as much publicity as that of Maine/UNH or BC/BU, but is still intense. Maine and BC have met in 7 Hockey East Championship games with Maine winning 2 of those championships, The teams have also met in 4 Hockey East semifinals, with Maine winning 1 semifinal against BC. This rivalry is another rivalry where the success of both teams has contributed to the intensity of the games between the two teams. Maine and BC have also met in 2 national semifinals, Maine won both meetings, but never in a national championship game. Maine and BC have 7 combined national championships.

Boston University Terriers

The rivalry between Maine and BU is one much like Maine/BC. They've only met in 2 Hockey East Championship, games each team winning one. In 1993 Maine lost only one game all year to BU, this loss came after taking a large lead and blowing it. Maine and BU also met in the 1995 National Championship game, BU won the game 6–2. Maine and BU have met 6 times in the Hockey East semifinals, Maine has won all 6 semifinals. The intensity of the games, combined with the mutual dislike of the fans results in very heated games every time they meet.

Florida College Classic

The Florida College Classic was an annual single elimination tournament played in Estero, Florida at Germain Arena. The Tournament was co-hosted by Maine and Cornell each year, with two other teams participating each season to form a semifinal format. Since Shawn Walsh was so instrumental to the inception of the tournament the Most Outstanding Player received the Shawn Walsh Memorial Trophy. Maine won 6 Florida College Classics prior to ending their involvement with the tournament in 2014.

Current roster

As of August 14, 2025.

Awards and honors

NCAA

AHCA First Team All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

ECAC Hockey

First Team All-ECAC Hockey

Second Team All-ECAC Hockey

Hockey East

First Team

Second Team

Third Team

Rookie Team

Statistical leaders

Source:

Career goaltending leaders

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

minimum 30 games played

Statistics current through the start of the 2022–23 season.

Records

NCAA

Most Power Play Goals in a Game: Jay Mazur, 4 (Feb 17, 1987 vs UMass Lowell)

Most Wins in a Season: 42 (1992–93)

Most Goals in a Season: 292 (1992–93)

Most Goals in a Period: 11 (Nov 11, 1978 vs St Thomas)

Most Power Play Goals in a Game: 8 (March 3, 1990 vs UMass Lowell)

Hockey East

Most Goals In A Game: Brian Flynn and Jay Mazur, 5

Most Power Play Goals In A Game: Jay Mazur, 4 (Feb 7, 1987 vs UMass Lowell)

Most Points In A Game By A Defenseman: Jack Capuano, 6 (Jan 30, 1988 vs New Hampshire)

Most Points In A Season By A Rookie: Paul Kariya, 63 (1992–93)

Most Assists In A Season By A Rookie: Paul Kariya, 48 (1992–93)

Most Assists In A Game By A Rookie: Paul Kariya, 5 (Dec 5, 1992 vs Northeastern)

Longest Point Streak: Paul Kariya, 23 games (1992–93)

Best Win Percentage In A Season: .938 (1992–93)

Fewest Losses In A Season: 1 (1992–93)

Most Road Wins In A Season: 12 (1992–93)

Longest Winning Streak: 16 (Nov 7, 1992 - Feb 13, 1993)

Longest Unbeaten Streak: 30 (Jan 25, 1992 - Feb 13, 1993)

Fewest Goals Allowed In A Season: 42 (2003–04)

Most Power Play Goals In A Season: 50 (1990–91)

Most Short-Handed Goals In A Game: 3 (Jan 23, 2004 vs Boston University)

Program Records

Most Goals: Cal Ingraham; 46 (1992–93)

Most Assists: Paul Kariya; 75 (1992–93)

Most Points: Paul Kariya; 100 (1992–93)

Most Points By A Defenseman: Keith Carney; 56 (1990–91)

Most Points By A Rookie: Paul Kariya; 100 (1992–93)

Most Wins: Blair Allison; 32 (1994–95)

Most Wins By A Rookie: Ben Bishop; 21 (2005–06)

Lowest Goals Against Average: Jimmy Howard; 1.19 (2003–04)

Best Save Percentage: Jimmy Howard; .956 (2003–04)

Most Saves: Jeremy Swayman; 1,099 (2019–20)

Most Shutouts: Jimmy Howard; 6 (2003–04, 2004–05)

Most Goals: Jean-Yves Roy, 108

Most Assists: Jim Montgomery, 198

Most Points: Jim Montgomery, 301

Most Points By A Defenseman: Keith Carney, 128

Most Wins: Garth Snow, 64

Best Goals Against Average: Jimmy Howard, 1.84

Best Save Percentage: Jimmy Howard, .931

Most Shutouts: Jimmy Howard, 15

Olympians

This is a list of Maine alumni were a part of an Olympic team.

* indicates the competition is ongoing, and winners have yet to be determined and announced.

Maine Sports Hall of Fame

The following is a list of people associated with the Maine men's ice hockey program who were elected into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame (induction date in parentheses).

Black Bears in the NHL

As of July 1, 2025.

Team Scoring Champions

The (+) denotes a tie in total points at the end of the season.